Welch to leave the Chiefs

By Mark Stevens
16/2/17

Exeter Chiefs can confirm that lock Damian Welch is to leave the club at the end of the season for Guinness Pro 12 side, Cardiff Blues.

Signed in 2012 from the Scarlets, the 34-year-old has played a key role in the rise of the Devon club in recent years, featuring prominently not only in the Aviva Premiership, but also European and Anglo-Welch competition.

With 100 appearances to his name for the Chiefs, Welch was part of the Exeter side that defeated Northampton Saints to lift the LV= Cup in 2014.

Welch said: “I have enjoyed my five years with the Chiefs and have been part of some fantastic moments for the club and made some lifelong friends. I will always be grateful for the opportunity the Chiefs have given me and for the way they have helped to improve my game.

"I'd also like to thank all of the supporters who have been great from day one of me joining the club."

Returning to the Welsh capital is nothing knew for the 6’6 forward, who has previously been part of the set-up at Cardiff RFC and the Blues, as well as having gone to University in the city.

Welch added: "I'm really looking forward to going back to a club which pretty much started my professional career.

"I lived in Cardiff for 12 years previously, through university and rugby - it's a city I love and a place where I have a lot of strong ties and family. It will always be the place where I fell in love with rugby.

"It's great to be heading back and Danny (Wilson) had a big bearing. He was my coach at Cardiff RFC so I'm really excited about working with him again.”

Wilson added: "We're delighted to bring Damian on board for the 2017-18 season.

"He is a very athletic second row and a good lineout forward who has gained valuable experienced in the Aviva Premiership since leaving Wales.

"We have identified the second-row as an area we needed to bolster and following the signing of Franco van der Merwe, we feel we have done that."